Broadway-Flushing Homeowners’ Association vice president Joseph Brostek witnessed the passing of the gavel at the Association’s recent executive board meeting. Janet McCreesh the organizations 29th president turns the gavel over to incoming leader Kevin Morris. Although she is stepping down as president, Mrs. McCreesh who has served the homeowners faithfully for many year plans to remain active. “It has been my honor to serve as President of the BFHA for the past two years. It is truly inspiring to work alongside a group of people who appreciate our community and work hard to protect it. I look forward to our change in leadership and am excited to work with our incoming 30th President, Kevin Morris.”[click to continue…]

Council Member Vallone Announces That Beloved Toddler Program Will Resume this September at Bowne Park Field House and allocates fund for additional program to run throughout Summer 2018!

On Thursday, Council Member Vallone announced that the beloved toddler program at the Bowne Park Field house, led by Eric Friedman, is officially set to resume this September. After the renovation of the Bowne Park playground and field house, it was discovered that the program’s future was in jeopardy of being relocated. Council Member Vallone was contacted by several constituents, and he successfully advocated to the Department of Parks and Recreation for the program to be resumed at Bowne Park. [click to continue…]

Newly enacted measure directs FAA to look at using more accurate metrics to measure effects of noise

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Grace Meng (D-Queens), Tom Suozzi (D-L.I./Queens), Joe Crowley (D-Queens/Bronx), Greg Meeks (D-Queens), Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn/Queens) and Kathleen Rice (D-L.I.), members of the Congressional Quiet Skies Caucus, announced today that they have secured a provision in the newly enacted omnibus appropriations bill which directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to examine new methods of measuring aircraft noise in order to reduce the impact of excessive airplane noise over their districts.

The provision directs the FAA to continue evaluating alternative metrics to the Day-Night Average Sound Level (DNL) 65, the current national standard at which the agency determines acceptable levels of aircraft noise. Additionally, the provision directs the FAA to evaluate other methods to address community airplane noise concerns, and encourages the FAA to make these recommendations based on actual noise levels. Presently, measuring the impact of noise relies heavily on modeling and simulations to determine “annoyance” levels of aircraft noise over communities, and rarely takes into account actual noise on the ground.

“The metric of 65 DNL has long been outdated and does not adequately measure the true impact of aircraft noise,” said Rep. Meng. “That is why it’s time to for the FAA reevaluate it. The blistering sounds of airplane noise in Queens continues to negatively impact the quality of life of borough residents, and looking at a more accurate measurement of noise effects would go a long way towards creating quieter skies over our communities. I look forward to seeing what other metrics the FAA proposes.”

“Queens and Long Island residents deserve to live in peace and quiet,” said Rep. Suozzi. “This provision will require the FAA to take important steps in addressing noise reduction so people are not bombarded at all hours of the day and night. As co-chair of the Quiet Skies Caucus, I will continue to work with my colleagues to ensure the FAA is doing its part to tackle this issue and make a concerted effort to reduce airplane and helicopter noise across the country.”

“I’m deeply concerned about the long-term impact noise pollution has on the health and well-being of my neighbors in Queens and the Bronx,” said Rep. Crowley, Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus. “Our communities have been burdened with a barrage of noise from airplanes and helicopters because of our proximity to two major airports, and this provision will help us better understand and curb the impact of noise pollution. It is important that the FAA realize the serious effects that noise pollution has our communities and take further steps to reduce these inconveniences.”

“The science on this topic is clear: the 65 DNL threshold is not a sufficient measure to protect Americans,” said Rep. Meeks. “But it doesn’t take a scientist to understand that current noise levels are simply too high in communities around our airports. I eagerly await the FAA’s findings on alternative metrics, and I know many of my constituents do, as well. It is long past time for the FAA to route flight paths more thoughtfully.”

“Deafening airplane noise that incessantly pollutes many neighborhoods in New York City is an unacceptable scourge that must be corrected,” said Rep. Jeffries. “We have committed ourselves to taking up that fight. The FAA must find an effective solution to this problem. This appears to be a step in the right direction.”

“It’s clear that the current metric to determine acceptable levels of airplane noise is flawed,” said Rep. Rice. “Long Islanders have long endured disruptive airplane noise and I am hopeful that the FAA’s reevaluation will lead to quieter skies for all.”

Tell them who you are and ask them to support Senate Bill S1531. You can send an email or a letter but letters are better. Each letter gets logged and responded to, the more letters they get, the more attention this bill will receive. If the Senate receives 300 letters it will send a much stronger message than 30 letters. We must continue to be the squeaky wheel. Our community is incredibly unique and worth the fight! So let’s get it done!

PLEASE JOIN US FOR AN AFTERNOON OF JOYOUS CELEBRATION AS WE WELCOME THE HOLIDAY SEASON. SING TO THE MUSIC OF MIKE BARRY, ENJOY HOT COCOA, BAKERY COOKIES AND CANDYCANES. ALL LOCAL DIGNATARIES HAVE BEEN INVITED SEE YOU THERE!!